GoodHeart | Akeem Brown aims to turn ‘dust bowl’ into football field

Where others saw an unusable plot of land, graphic designer Akeem Brown saw potential. The empty lot, known locally as the “dust bowl”, in his Greenwich Town community in Kingston had long been used for informal street football. Brown, however, envisioned something more: a space that could bring residents together and create positive opportunities for young people. Today, he is working to transform the neglected lot into a foundation for the next generation, an effort that has earned him a place among the finalists in the 2026 Supreme Hero competition.

Brown’s journey as a community leader gained momentum in 2020, during the height of the COVID-19 pandemic. He noticed that online classes were leaving many young people in the community unoccupied and with little to keep them engaged, increasing their vulnerability to negative influences on the streets. Recognising the need for a safe and constructive space, he joined forces with childhood friends to establish the Greenwich Youth in Action Club.

“It fostered a home of youth development and personal growth for some of the young persons,” Brown explained. “It helped them to find their passion, who they really are, and what they really want to do in life”. What started as an emergency “guiding light” during the pandemic has evolved into a permanent, stabilising force for the community’s young people.

As an entrepreneur and creative who also runs a graphic design and event promotion business, Brown takes a collaborative approach to philanthropy. He believes community development requires collective effort, bringing residents together to identify needs and create solutions.

“I don’t do everything by myself. So I try to find creative ways to get the community involved ... . I use my creative knowledge to get the understanding from the people,” Brown shared. As part of this approach, he designs and distributes flyers to encourage residents to share their views and contribute to local initiatives. His efforts have also earned him recognition within Greenwich Town, prompting a friend to nominate him for the Supreme Hero competition.

For his Supreme Hero community project, Brown set his sights on transforming the dust bowl of his youth. Greenwich Town has a rich sporting legacy, producing talented athletes who have historically had to develop their skills and grit while playing in the dirt. With the local youth recently fielding a re-entered under-15 major league team, Brown recognised the need for a proper playing space. He chose to construct a professional-grade football field to nurture local talent and provide opportunities for young players.

Once construction is complete, Brown’s vision for the space extends beyond the field itself. He plans to officially open it, establish a management committee to oversee its upkeep and host a major football competition involving teams from the local and neighbouring communities to put the new pitch to the test.

Armed with entrepreneurial training from the Mona Entrepreneurial Commercialization Centre, which has helped him navigate business challenges and manage his multiple ventures, Brown is prepared to see his vision through. With community support behind him, he hopes to secure the Supreme Hero prize and turn the once-neglected lot into a lasting sporting facility for Greenwich Town.

Voting for the 2026 Supreme Community Hero title closes on November 27. Votes can be cast at sv-foundation.com.

goodheart@gleanerjm.com